Jerzy J. Kania
Cairo: Funerary Complex of Amir
Kebir Qurqumas
CAIRO
FUNERARY COMPLEX OF AMIR KEBIR QURQUMAS
Jerzy J. Kania
The present report covers the period from 1 January through 31 December 1997.1 Work included restoration and rebuilding operations within selected parts of the complex, research studies, development of technical designs for further realizations and some minor publications.2
KHANQAH (Sufi habitation quarters)
In 1997, the Mission centered its attention on completing the finishing works in the ground-level structures of this part of the complex (Fig. 2). Considerable parts of the vaults had to be dismantled, despite the apparently good condition of the facing ashlars. The weakened mortar bonding them was replac-ed with a specially developreplac-ed substance,3 and the blocks in opus emplectum remounted in their original position.
On the upper floor of the Khanqah, the vaults were secur-ed from above with a waterproof course, and the preservsecur-ed remains of the partition walls were restored to the height of the third layer of blocks. This permitted a clear view of the plan of the upper story and exposed it well in the form of a permanent, arranged and protected ruin. Special attention
1 Previous report in: PAM VIII, Reports 1996 (1997), pp. 40-45.
2 The Polish members of the Mission were: Mr. Jerzy J. Kania, M. Sc. Eng.,
architect-restorer, Project Head, Director of the Mission (since September 1996, on a year-round basis); Mr. Zdzisław K. Raster, D. Sc. Eng., Architect, Chief Designer (Nov-ember 1996-June 1997); Mr. Andrzej Kwiatkiewicz, M. Sc. Eng., Civil and Struc-tural Engineer, Site Chief (February-April 1997); Mr. Maciej Kwaśniewski, Arabist (volunteer, August 1996-July 1997). The Egyptian side was represented by Mrs. Fatin Hassan el-Fayyez, archaeologist, Site Inspector, and by Mr. Nazmy Daoud Attiya, Eng., architect.
was paid to the proper reconstruction of the lavatories and sanitary installations of this building, with a view to present-ing adequately the unique sewage system datpresent-ing from Mam-luk times.4
Inside units nos. 1, 2 and 4, the counterclockwise staircases were restored to their original Mamluk form, following a previously developed project (slightly modified in view of modern structural exigencies), matching the Mamluk facade of these units already restored in 1994-1995.5 Reinforced con-crete was used in the reconstruction, "concealed" by an outer casing of masarani slabs, thus reproducing the typical ap-pearance of a Mamluk staircase in modern materials.
In the remaining units, that is, nos 3,6,7 and 8, the later Ottoman staircases of red brick and irregular limestone blocks will be preserved, completed and restored (wherever neces-sary) in the coming season.
THE QASR (founder's residence)
Major intervention in this part of the Complex during the season in question included the restructuring of the inner stair-case. After removing the modern two-flight arrangement, the original three-flight staircase structure, as described in the Waqfiyya6 was restored. The original height of the steps was calculated on the grounds of archaeological and architectural evidence. Some original Mamluk steps of stone blocks cover-ed with thin limestone slabs (masarani) were re-installcover-ed; otherwise, the staircase was completed with new hard-limestone one-block steps of appropriate dimensions.
4 I. Nieduziak, La fondation waqf de 1'emir Qurqumas au Caire, EtTrav XIV, 1990,
pp. 239-281.
Final reinforcement works on the domes over the Qasr and the re-arrangement of pavements inside the residence had to be postponed due to difficulties in procuring appropriate materials.
HAWSH (funerary courtyard in front of the Qasr)
Leveling works were carried out as the first stage of the landscaping project designed to arrange the immediate sur-roundings of the Complex. Some structures of later Ottoman times, already known from previous excavations (1985-1987), were uncovered again and temporarily secured. In the future, the area will be used for a display of pieces of stone architec-tural decoration collected from the site.
MADRASA (Mosque and Quranic school)
In the Madrasa, the existing remnants and traces of the external roofing structures over the room adjacent to the body of the main building on the northeast (storeroom for carpets) were meticulously examined, measured and photographically recorded. A technical design for the new roofing of this sec-tion was developed.
The technical documentation for completing and protect-ing the vault over the corridor between the complexes of the Khanqa and Madrasa was also prepared.
Both project designs (intended to be realized in the com-ing 1998 season) deal with all the required aesthetical, struc-tural and protective measures of the reconstruction/restora-tion operareconstruction/restora-tions (waterproof insulareconstruction/restora-tion, rainwater run-off, etc.).
ILLUMINATION PROJECT
7 Cf. PAM VIII, 1996 (1997), p. 44. 42
